Local Elections

Links to Emmet and Charlevoix County ballots: http://www.emmet.mi.us/clerk/Election_Info.htm http://www.charlevoixcounty.org/govern4740482.asp Click here to get the inside scoop on contested local elections at our official election Web site.

Hudson Township officials are still hoping someone will come forward to run as a write-in candidate for the office of treasurer. To be eligible, a declaration of intent must be submitted to the township clerk's office by 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24. Sam Aeschliman originally submitted himself as a candidate, but later withdrew his name from the race. However, the withdrawal came too late to remove his name from the official ballot. Anyone interested in running a write-in campaign for the position should contact township supervisor Frank Wasylewski by phone at (231)

BOYNE CITY - Charlevoix County Transit will provide free transportation for residents to vote at their assigned polling place. The 2012 Election Days include the Michigan presidential primary on Tuesday, Feb. 28, local elections on May 8, the state primary on Aug. 7 and the general election on Nov. 6. Anyone who wants to request a ride should schedule both drop off and pick up times because bus drivers typically will not wait at a...

Tuesday's election isn't a presidential election and there aren't any sexy proposals to bring voters out. But many local municipalities will decide something even more important than seating state and national leaders - they will cast ballots for local leaders. These are the city council members, mayors and township officials who steer local decision making on important issues like zoning, planning and appropriation of tax dollars. The leaders elected Tuesday will have a noticeable impact on our lives.

I thought that the East Park renovation was done at, largely, the expense of the residents of Charlevoix. And, I believe the park is there for use of the people of Charlevoix. Apparently, I am wrong. It is there for the "boaters". When the "boaters" complain, our city officials jump. They don't want the pesky residents' children disturbing their buddies by enjoying the park at times that are inconvenient to the "boaters". I, for one, am sooooo happy to know that the hours of operation for the interactive (built for use by children)

Frank E. Hamilton, 69, feels that some of the elected officials in Norwood have been dishonest. And, that?s why he?s chosen to run for Township Supervisor. ?I just feel that they?ve been more honest in the past and more information was disseminated,? Hamilton said. ?It was more honest back when Wayne Boss was in charge.? Hamilton?s experience comes from serving on the Oakland City Council for 13 years. He?s also been a city/village manager for two years in Oakland County.

Greg Dean has never been that comfortable with the two existing political parties. "I'm socially liberal and fiscally conservative," said the Antrim County resident and self-employed contractor. In 2004, he first entered the 105th race as a Republican before switching out of the crowded field to the less competitive Democratic side. Now, Dean has once again thrown himself into the race for a seat in Lansing - only now he is doing it as a Libertarian. He was nominated for the race at the party's state convention last week.

We have mixed feelings about recent proposed legislation which would cut down the number of elections bombarding Michigan voters. Saying Michigan voters face too many elections, Republican senators and local officials are proposing holding just four a year. Senators unveiled a package of bills that would limit elections to February, May, August and November. Only special elections called by the governor, such as those to fill legislative vacancies, would be permitted at other times under the legislation.

Proactively, not reactively. That?s how John Works Jr., 48, identifies his style of governance over the last 12 years as the Supervisor in Peaine Township. ?I?ve always liked to try to prevent problems before they happen, rather than wait for something to happen and then scrambling for a solution to fix it.? Works said. According to Works, before him, there were no regular township hours. So, he decided to start holding regular office hours every Friday, not only to keep home life separated from work, but to allow himself to do a better job. ?

The Aug. 5 primary is less than three weeks away and like in any election, voters must make some serious decisions, but it seems too simple to frame local issues in the same framework that we do our national political scene. In November voters will be considering how to repair the economy, what is the best course of action in Iraq and Afghanistan, and how do we begin implementing alternative energy. For many Americans they will decide based on the party lines of the Democratic and Republican parties, while significantly fewer may turn to a trio of third parties: the Libertarians, the Green Party and the Constitution Party.

Northern Michigan Review NORTHERN MICHIGAN - Rep. Dan Benishek, R-Crystal Falls, declared victory just after 4 a.m. Wednesday over Democratic challenger Gary McDowell for a second term. With poll reporting continuing up until dawn, the Associated Press officially called the race a victory for Benishek at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. The incumbent congressman won with a 2,297 vote lead over McDowell based on the unofficial results held by the Michigan Secretary of State and the Associated Press, 48.2 to 47.5 percent.

BOYNE CITY - Charlevoix County Transit will provide free transportation for residents to vote at their assigned polling place. The 2012 Election Days include the Michigan presidential primary on Tuesday, Feb. 28, local elections on May 8, the state primary on Aug. 7 and the general election on Nov. 6. Anyone who wants to request a ride should schedule both drop off and pick up times because bus drivers typically will not wait at a...

Tuesday's election isn't a presidential election and there aren't any sexy proposals to bring voters out. But many local municipalities will decide something even more important than seating state and national leaders - they will cast ballots for local leaders. These are the city council members, mayors and township officials who steer local decision making on important issues like zoning, planning and appropriation of tax dollars. The leaders elected Tuesday will have a noticeable impact on our lives.

I thought that the East Park renovation was done at, largely, the expense of the residents of Charlevoix. And, I believe the park is there for use of the people of Charlevoix. Apparently, I am wrong. It is there for the "boaters". When the "boaters" complain, our city officials jump. They don't want the pesky residents' children disturbing their buddies by enjoying the park at times that are inconvenient to the "boaters". I, for one, am sooooo happy to know that the hours of operation for the interactive (built for use by children)

Links to Emmet and Charlevoix County ballots: http://www.emmet.mi.us/clerk/Election_Info.htm http://www.charlevoixcounty.org/govern4740482.asp Click here to get the inside scoop on contested local elections at our official election Web site.

Hudson Township officials are still hoping someone will come forward to run as a write-in candidate for the office of treasurer. To be eligible, a declaration of intent must be submitted to the township clerk's office by 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24. Sam Aeschliman originally submitted himself as a candidate, but later withdrew his name from the race. However, the withdrawal came too late to remove his name from the official ballot. Anyone interested in running a write-in campaign for the position should contact township supervisor Frank Wasylewski by phone at (231)

The Aug. 5 primary is less than three weeks away and like in any election, voters must make some serious decisions, but it seems too simple to frame local issues in the same framework that we do our national political scene. In November voters will be considering how to repair the economy, what is the best course of action in Iraq and Afghanistan, and how do we begin implementing alternative energy. For many Americans they will decide based on the party lines of the Democratic and Republican parties, while significantly fewer may turn to a trio of third parties: the Libertarians, the Green Party and the Constitution Party.

Greg Dean has never been that comfortable with the two existing political parties. "I'm socially liberal and fiscally conservative," said the Antrim County resident and self-employed contractor. In 2004, he first entered the 105th race as a Republican before switching out of the crowded field to the less competitive Democratic side. Now, Dean has once again thrown himself into the race for a seat in Lansing - only now he is doing it as a Libertarian. He was nominated for the race at the party's state convention last week.

Proactively, not reactively. That?s how John Works Jr., 48, identifies his style of governance over the last 12 years as the Supervisor in Peaine Township. ?I?ve always liked to try to prevent problems before they happen, rather than wait for something to happen and then scrambling for a solution to fix it.? Works said. According to Works, before him, there were no regular township hours. So, he decided to start holding regular office hours every Friday, not only to keep home life separated from work, but to allow himself to do a better job. ?

Frank E. Hamilton, 69, feels that some of the elected officials in Norwood have been dishonest. And, that?s why he?s chosen to run for Township Supervisor. ?I just feel that they?ve been more honest in the past and more information was disseminated,? Hamilton said. ?It was more honest back when Wayne Boss was in charge.? Hamilton?s experience comes from serving on the Oakland City Council for 13 years. He?s also been a city/village manager for two years in Oakland County.